Since Graham Potter replaced Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea’s head coach, the team has struggled, winning only one of their previous five games while drawing two, and losing two.
Former Super Eagles player, Victor Ikpeba, is not pleased with Graham Potter’s team selection for Chelsea’s number 9 position.
The Monaco legend queries why the former Arsenal player, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is benched for German forward, Kai Harvetz.
The 31-capped former Nigerian international revealed this after Chelsea were held to a goalless draw by Fulham at the Stamford Bridge Stadium, with Aubameyang benched and Havertz playing as the striker.
Prior to that, the Blues signed the Barcelona striker to a two-year contract for a cost of €12 million.
The 33-year-old was only given a free transfer from Arsenal to Barcelona in January, but once Robert Lewandowski joined the team, he was demoted to a backup position.
Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner left the London club, but the team required attacking Physicality to fill their vacuum.
However, Auba’s contribution to the squad hasn’t really been noticeable; he has played in only 10 league games in 2022–23 season campaign, starting six of those games, and he only managed one goal.
It is logical to assume that former Chelsea boss, Thomas Tuchel bought the striker after seeing the potential he might bring to the squad.
However, after the German manager was let go, he lost his place in the starting lineup, as Potter prefers the 23-year-old up front.
Given this, Ikpeba, in a discussion on Monday Night Football, SuperSport’s magazine, blasted the former English manager’s team selection.
“I have my doubts, I have worries. A team that has Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang I don’t understand why he does not play,” he said as cited by Daily Post.
The 49-year-old added: “Kai Havertz, with due respect to him, isn’t a striker. He can play from the wings.”
Since Potter replaced Tuchel as manager, the Premier League team has gone on an absolutely dreadful run, winning 36%, losing 36%, and drawing 29% of its games.
Speaking about this, Ikpeba said that Potter’s team will lose more games if they don’t alter their style of play and the manager continues to use the German player up front rather than on the wing.
“There is a lot of confusion going around at the club. I think things have been bad. I don’t know how Chelsea will go on a run of wins from the problems that they’re on right now.” he said.
Chelsea is currently ranked ninth in the English Premier League following the draw.